Zeke bolted down the hallway of his office, ignoring the startled glances from employees as he made his way to the elevator. He jabbed at the button, tapping his foot impatiently until the doors finally opened. Once inside, he pressed the ground floor and leaned back, running a hand through his hair, his heart hammering in his chest. How had he not seen it? How had he missed something so painfully obvious?Thoughts of Millie swirled through his mind, one memory tumbling after another. He remembered the sinking feeling he’d had months ago when he realized there was something seriously wrong with her relationship with Francis.The pain he'd experienced the first time he’d seen bruises marking her pale skin, even when she'd tried to make excuses for it. And yet, each one had made his blood boil and his heart ache.His overwhelming need to protect her, to shield her from anything and anyone who might hurt her. The helpless feeling whenever she looked even a little sad and the sheer joy h
Zeke paced back and forth in the study, wanting to bash his head against the wall for being so stupid. This was all his fucking fault.If only he had told Millie the truth that he didn’t regret their night together, at least not in the way she’d probably thought—maybe she would still be here. Instead, he’d let her believe he wished it never happened. She must think he was the biggest jerk alive.With a frustrated sigh, he dialed the number of his head of security.“When did Millie leave?” He barked, his voice harsh.There was a pause before the security guard responded, “About three hours ago, sir.”Zeke’s grip on the phone tightened, realizing that she’d left shortly after he went to the office.“Why the fuck didn’t you call me? Or at least try to stop her?”“Sir, you never gave instructions to restrict her movement. And you asked us to report anything unusual, but…I didn’t think her leaving the house was part of it, especially since she didn’t bring any luggage. She just left.”Zek
Luisa's question hung in the air for a bit before Zeke answered. "Look, Luisa, it's... it's not what you're thinking but I can't explain everything right now."Luisa huffed. "You can't just drop something like that on us and refuse to explain, Zeke. Millie's been staying at your place? What else am I supposed to think?”"I know it's confusing. I promise I'll explain later," Zeke replied, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Right now, I just need to find her. If she contacts either of you, please let me know immediately."When he ended the call, Zeke glanced up to see Kris staring at him, body rigid and expression hard. The judgment was clear in his eyes."What?" Zeke snapped, scowling.Kris shook. "I'm just surprised at your hypocrisy. Why would you act like you were simping for Thalassa's love when you had something going on with Millie?”Zeke's fists clenched, anger bubbling up inside him. "It's not what you think. Millie only came to stay with me because I found out her boyfriend—no,
Francis threw his head back in ecstasy as the chick kneeling down in front of him deep throated his cock like it was her fucking dinner.“Yes, just like.” He shoved his fingers into her hair, forcing her head still as he pounded her throat until tears came into her eyes. She tapped his thighs as she struggled for breath, but he didn't let go, riding it out until he erupted into her throat.Once his pleasure was done, he pulled his cock out of her mouth. The bitch gagged, then coughed and heaved before glaring back at him.“What is wrong with you? Did you have to be such a brute?” “Oh, shut up. Don't complain like you didn't like it. You took it like a fucking porn star.”“This is the last time I'm letting you do this to me here." The bitch spat as she got up to her feet.Francis rolled his eyes. “You always say that, but I will get you on your knees every time I want. And you know perfectly well WHY you can't refuse."Fear flashed in the bitch's eyes, pleasing Francis immensely. “N
Kris tensed, glancing between Zeke and the gunman's finger which was still on the trigger. Zeke's fists were clenched, and his breathing was harsh, his entire body coiled with tension. His eyes met Kris's for a split second, and a silent exchange passed between them.Kris slowly raised his hands and stepped forward, a calm expression on his face. "Alright, take it easy, tiger," he said to the gunman, his voice calm and measured. "We're not looking to start trouble. We just came for some answers. And I assure you, you don't want to pull that trigger.”The gunman snorted, keeping his weapon trained on them. "You rich boys think money makes you untouchable, don't you? Makes you think you're invincible, but you're wrong.”Zeke's eyes narrowed. "Try pulling that trigger, and you'll regret it."The man gave a dark chuckle. "And how will I regret it, huh? I could shoot you both right now, hide your bodies, and discard you in the night, and no one would ever know."From the floor, Francis en
Kris shook his head, a thoughtful crease forming between his eyebrows. “No,” he said. “I don’t think she’s left the city. Millie wouldn’t just leave her work without officially informing me. She’s responsible that way. I’m certain she’s still in Baltimore.”Zeke’s eyes narrowed in thought. Kris’s words had sparked some hope inside him. “Let’s start checking hotels and apartment complexes.” Kris suggested, glancing at Zeke. “I can have my contacts look up records of apartment complexes. And you can have yours check hotel records.”Zeke nodded determinedly as he started the car. “Yes, let's do that.”Inside the bar, Francis staggered out of the washroom with Paco, who was clutching his bruised head.“Fuck, I think he cracked my skull with the gun.” Paco groaned. “We have to make them pay.”Francis gritted his teeth. He didn't care about Kris Miller's involvement. All he cared about was getting back at Zeke Mathews.The man might be powerful with his house surrounded by guards, but Fra
“Zeke?” Millie breathed.“Millie…” Zeke replied, just as softly, his voice thick with something she couldn’t quite place. They stood frozen for a moment, simply looking at each other. Millie took in the sight of his disheveled hair, the way it fell over his forehead in messy waves, as if he’d been running his hands through it over and over. Normally, she’d have laughed at the look; it was so unlike the polished, composed man she knew. But now, the mere sight of him sent a heavy ache settling deep into her chest.Bypassing her, Zeke stepped inside, letting the door fall closed behind him. His eyes searched hers, intense. “How could you do this to me, Millie?” He questioned, his voice cracking slightly. “Do you have any idea the kind of hell I went through when I got home and realized you were gone? Why did you leave?”Millie swallowed, the weight of his words settling over her like a storm. Still, she tried to keep her expression neutral as she responded.“I stated my reason in the
After several seconds of just standing in dumbfounded silence, Millie took a shaky breath, stepping back. “Zeke, you can't just say something like that.” Her voice was barely above a whisper, but her eyes held a mixture of caution and disbelief.“Why not?” he asked, closing the gap she’d put between them. “It's the truth.”Millie shook her head. “Because you’re only saying this because you feel guilty.” Her voice cracked as she forced herself to continue. “You feel bad about what happened, Zeke, and…you think this is what I want to hear.”“Millie,” he began, his voice softening, “I won’t lie. I did feel guilty. But not because of what we shared that night. I didn’t regret it, not the way I made it sound. The guilt was… it was about me. I felt ashamed because, after waking up, I realized how much I wanted that night—how much I wanted you. And you didn't deserve that, especially after I'd gone after another woman just a few hours before.”Looking away, Millie clenched her jaw. His word
The bullet hit Linda square in the shoulder. Linda crumpled to the floor, clutching her arm. She groaned in pain as the blood seeped through her fingers, mixing with the gasoline pooling beneath her. Karen didn’t hesitate. She immediately rushed towards Thalassa’s chair, her movements frantic but determined. “Hold still,” she muttered, her trembling hands fumbling with the ropes binding Thalassa’s wrists. After some seconds, the ropes finally loosened. Thalassa pulled her hands free and immediately bent down to help Karen untie her legs. The knot slipped, and she finally stood, her heart pounding wildly. “We need to leave, Karen,” she said, her voice sharp with urgency. “Yes.” Karen nodded, breathless. “Let’s go.” Neither of them saw Linda reaching into her handbag and pulling out a pistol. Just as they turned to run, a gunshot exploded in the air. Thalassa froze as Karen let out a gasp of pain. “Karen!” she screamed. Karen staggered, her hand clutching her stomach where blood
After spreading one gallon of the gasoline. Linda moved to the next, then the next. And the next.The pungent liquid soaked into the cracks of wooden members, splattered against the cardboard boxes strewn around the room, and puddled near Thalassa’s chair.Thalassa’s heart hammered violently in her chest, but she kept her face a mask of defiance. No. She had to do something. You couldn't die. Not today.She needed to get back to Alex and Kris. They were waiting for her. Alex needed her. But no matter how she wriggled her wrists, the rope refused to loosen.Linda finished pouring the last gallon, letting the empty container clatter to the floor. Straightening up, she brushed her hands against her dress, a twisted smile curling her lips as she turned to face Thalassa.From a nearby chair, she grabbed her handbag and pulled out a somewhat small device. Then she walked back toward Thalassa, holding it up like a trophy.“This,” Linda began, her voice laced with cruel amusement, “is a deto
Thalassa's heart pounded violently in her chest as the thugs came closer and closer.She kept her face hard, her jaw clenched. Every instinct screamed at her to panic because she knew this was no joke, but she refused to give Linda or her thugs the satisfaction."Don't you dare come closer," she spat through gritted teeth, her voice steady despite the storm raging inside her.One of the thugs threw his head back and laughed. "She's trying to act hard.” His lips curled into a lecherous grin. "Don't worry, sweetheart. We'll break you in no time. Turn you into a nice, docile little bitch begging for our cocks."Thalassa jerked her chair back as far as it could go, her muscles straining against the ropes that bound her. But one of the thugs circled behind her, his rough hands already reaching for the knots securing her wrists to the chair.She could feel his breath on the back of her neck as he muttered, "Don't make this harder on yourself by resisting.”He had begun untangling the ropes
Kris paced back and forth in the living room like a caged animal, his jaw clenched and his hands tugging through his hair in sheer frustration and desperation.His voice was low, barely above a hiss, as he spoke into his phone. “What do you mean the surveillance ends at that spot? And the car is never seen again? Did it fucking disappear into thin air?”His steps quickened as his anxiety surged. “Listen to me, Smoke. The next time you call me, you better have something useful to tell me.”He ended the call with a sharp tap and flung the phone onto the couch, his breath coming in uneven gasps. Alden and Luisa were sitting on the couch across from him, their expressions tense as they silently watched.Tessa was curled up in Luisa’s arms, her small chest rising and falling as she slept. Luisa stroked her hair absently, her eyes rimmed with exhaustion, but no one said a word.It had been hours since Thalassa’s car was found in the middle of the road with bullet holes and shattered glass.
Karen hesitated in front of the door, her hand hovering over the knob. Her breathing was shallow, her chest aching. She was in front of the door to her mother's room.It was the first time she’d stood here since her mother’s death. No, not just her death. It had been years since she’d stepped into this room. Her fingers tightened around the knob, turning it slowly. The door creaked open, and Karen stepped inside. Everything was exactly as her mother had left it: spotless, warm, yet eerily silent. Her eyes scanned the familiar space, and a wave of nostalgia washed over her, nearly knocking her off her feet.She closed the door behind her and leaned against it, taking in the faint scent of lavender that still lingered in the air.Her throat tightened as memories came rushing back. She remembered when she was eight years old and her father’s death was plastered across the news. He'd died while cruising on the sea.She hadn’t understood it at the time, but the image of the wrecked yacht
Thalassa groaned as consciousness crept back to her. Her head felt heavy, like a storm had taken up residence in her skull. She blinked her eyes open, and she was greeted by nearly pitch-black darkness.The air was cold and stale, tinged with the metallic scent of rust and dampness. She was sitting in a chair, and it didn't take long for her to realize that her wrists and ankles were bound tightly to the chair.She wriggled her wrists, trying to see if she could free her hands from the ropes, but they only dug painfully into her skin. The knots didn’t budge.The sound of footsteps broke the silence, sharp and deliberate against the concrete floor. Then the voice of the woman she hated more than anything in the world echoed through the space.“Don’t bother, darling. You’re only wasting your time.”Thalassa froze, her breath catching in her throat. The dim light overhead flickered on, falling on the woman in front of her.Linda.She was standing a few feet away, a satisfied smirk on her
The engine’s steady hum filled the car as Thalassa leaned back against the plush leather seat, her phone pressed tightly to her ear.She barely registered the bodyguards seated in the front, their voices muffled as they exchanged words about security measures. Her focus was solely on the call.She'd been dialing Betty's number since Kris left a few minutes ago, but the other woman wasn't picking up. Finally, the tone of the call being answered came through.“Thank God you finally picked up, Betty,” Thalassa said, her voice trembling just enough to betray her nerves.“Thalassa?” Betty’s warm, familiar voice came through the line. "Oh, sorry, I was in the shower. Is something wrong? You sound... tense.”Thalassa closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. “Please,” she begged, her words rushed. “Tell me my son is safe.”There was a short pause before Betty chuckled lightly. “You called to ask that an hour ago. Alex is fine, I promise. Safe and sound. He’s having the time of his life with tha
Kris groaned, the dull ache in the back of his head pulling him from the haze of unconsciousness. His vision blurred as he blinked rapidly, trying to focus. A small, trembling voice broke through the fog.“Daddy, please wake up,” Tessa sobbed, her tiny hands clutching at his arm. She was hunched over his body, tears streaming down her cheeks, her whole frame shaking.Kris forced himself upright, wincing as his fingers pressed against the throbbing lump on his head. His heart clenched at the sight of his daughter’s tear-streaked face.“Tessa,” he rasped, pulling her into his arms. “I’m okay, baby. I’m here. Don’t cry.”He cradled her against his chest, rocking her gently, ignoring the sharp pain in his skull. Her sobs slowly subsided as he murmured soothing words, stroking her hair.After a moment, Kris pulled back to look at her. “Are you hurt? Did they do anything to you?”Tessa shook her head, her lip quivering. “No… but I was so scared, Daddy. They had guns.”Kris swallowed hard, h
Kris’s fingers tightened around the phone, his knuckles white against the smooth surface. For a moment, the world around him seemed to freeze, his mind struggling to process Karen’s words. Tessa. Taken. His breath caught in his throat. Then, the cold reality slammed into him like a freight train.“What do you mean they took her?!” Kris hissed, his voice sharp and rising in panic.Karen’s voice came through the speaker again, shaky and tearful. “They— they shot the guard, Kris. They came into the house with guns. They said they’d hurt me if I didn’t give them Tessa.”His stomach churned, dread twisting his insides. “And you did?” he bit out, his voice breaking with a mix of anger and desperation. “I didn’t have a choice!” Karen cried. “I tried to stop them, but they hit me—I couldn’t—” Her words dissolved into sobs.Kris raked a hand through his hair, feeling like he was going crazy. “I told you! I told you to let me take her!” His voice cracked with raw emotion, his anger barely mas